Never To Be Erased

What once was true can never be erased
It must remain a testament to time
In mind and heart it cannot be defaced
And to it will not cling denial's grime

To hide what was a part of history 
The story of your life and heart's desire
To now pretend that it's a mystery
Will serve to burden heart and make it tire

Be not ashamed of feelings that were true
Of love you found the will so to express
What heart extols through words must shine on through
To bury truth, the harm will not redress

Be truth to self, and stand by what you write
Or lose yourself, and thus lose poet's might

Eileen Manassian

Post Script:

A poem is a living breathing entity that exits outside the poet's control. When we write, we risk being judged and that is painful, but...if we never write, we risk the judgment of our own hearts, and that is cowardice. I've deleted a poem or two here because I've been afraid of what people will say of it, particularly the sensual pieces. In the end, I've felt like I'm not true to myself when I conform to what others think of me. Have I been attacked for it? Yes! Has it hurt? Yes! Did it make me evaluate myself? Yes! Did it teach me a lesson? Yes! It taught me to be STRONGER...and stick to my guns. What we most fault in what others write is what we are struggling with ourselves. It's true. There is a fine line between being vulnerable and being wise. That fine line is the POET'S to cross, and no one else's. :)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Bauer Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 3:34 PM
wow! you've really nailed this poem, eileen! your post script is very well-written but your poem actually said it all perfectly...
Manassian Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 11:09 PM
:) Oh...glad to know the poem was enough. I was worried that it wouldn't be, hence the post script. Thank you for visiting, my dear sweet Ilene. You are always welcome.
Lamoureux Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 9:42 AM
Many of us think you are amazing. I appreciate your artistry and am saddened when you remove a piece.
Manassian Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 11:12 PM
:) Yes, you have always encouraged me. I did delete some a few months back. Don't know which ones. It's silly, really. We must stand by what we write. Thank you for your visit!!
Lawless Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 8:17 AM
Well said, Eileen. I settled on a simple mantra in my poetic endeavors and share it with all who enquire of my poetry. "DON'T FIGHT IT. WRITE IT!" Not always easy but usually worn the struggle.
Manassian Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 11:14 PM
I'm going to use that mantra and will share it with my class. How sweet is that! Thank you for your post and sharing that mantra with me. I will try to chant when I'm second guessing myself!
Smith Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 7:45 AM
Be not ashamed of your feelings... That line sums it up for me...hugs Tim
Manassian Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 11:09 PM
:) Yes...Thank you for your visit and for appreciating my work, Tim.
Callus Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 4:30 AM
I agree with you on all counts, Eileen. That is why you won't find me posting lots of poems at one go. One or two a day are the maximum for me...sometimes nothing at all. I am fussy at what I present to the reader: I need to be comfortable with content, grammar, vocabulary, correct orthography, etc. Don't think I'm perfect....I do make mistakes, but it is always wise to limit the damage! // Twisting of History also makes me mad...nothing like the truth! Hugs // paul
Manassian Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 11:08 PM
Twisting of history is very sad...this is part and parcel of who we are, Paul. I'm glad you are a fussy author! ;) It pays off! I love your work! Thank you for your lovely visit. Hugs
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